Adjustable spring for cribs



1941 s. KROLL ETAL ADJUSTABLE SPRINGTOR CRIBS Filed Nov. 20, 1959 INVENTORS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Map ATTORNEY Samuel Krolfi May 20, 1941. s, KROLL HAL 2,242,307

ADJUSTABLE SPRING FOR CRIB'J Filed NOV. 20, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Samuel Kroll m Jw Nq 6'3 Mm, A

Patented May 20, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ADJUSTABLE SPRING FOR CRIBS Samuel Kroll and Nathan J. Kroll, Chicago, 111.

Application November 20, 1939, Serial No. 305,218

2 Claims- This invention relates to improvements in an infant's crib, the principal object being the provision of an adjustable spring mattress support by means of which the mattress may be disposed at various elevations within the crib.

It is a further object to provide, in combination with a crib, hanger brackets at the corners of the crib and hanger arms at opposite ends of the mattress spring engageable in variously elevated notches in the bracket so that the spring may "be tilted variously.

A further object is the provision of hanger means at opposite ends of the mattress spring arranged for manual engagement in elevating the spring and functioning automatically to disengage the hanger brackets for disposition at a difierent elevation. I

Yet another object is the provision of an adjustable spring mattress mounting means including hanger brackets at the corners of the crib each having angularly disposed hanger notches at diflerent elevations, and a spring mattress provided with pivoted hanger arms at opposite ends so arranged that the arms may be grasped in changing the elevation of the spring and caused to pivot in camming cooperation with the angular notches so as to automatically work out of the latter preliminary to disposition in a different set of notches.

Yet another object is the combination of an adjustable spring mattress mounting means, such as heretofore described, with a crib having a vertically adjustable side wall partially sup ported by the hanger brackets and having detent means cooperable with slide rods partially supported by the hanger brackets so as to rigidify the crib structure, cooperably with the positioning of the mattress in supported engagement with said hanger brackets.

Still another object is the construction of an adjustable hanger mechanism adapted for knock-down installation to facilitate shipping and disassembly of the crib structure. I

Other objects, advantages and novel aspects of the invention reside in certain details of construction, as well as the cooperative relationship of the component parts of the illustrative embodiment described hereinafter in view of the annexed drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective of the improved crib structure;

Fig. 2 is a section looking up along line 2-2, Fig. 1, at the side wall detent structure;

Fig. 3 is a perspective detail of the detent operating lever;

- vertical slats "5.

Fig. 4 is a perspective fragment of one of the hanger brackets and arms; I

Fig. 5 is a section along line 5-5 of Fig. 4 showing a detail of the knock-down assembly;

Fig. 6 is a perspective fragment of the offset end of one of the hanger aims showing the assembling notch;

Fig. 7 is a sectional detail along line !-I of Fig. 4 of the removable pivot attachment for the hanger arms;

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section through the crib showing the mattress tilted at difierent elevations at its ends;

Fig. 9 is a perspective fragment of a modified construction of hanger bracket and arm;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary section through thev modified hanger arm structure as viewed along line l'0lll of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is another modified form of bracket.

The novel features of the invention have been illustrated in conjunction with the type of crib structure shown in Fig. 1 which includes opposite end panels l0 each having a corner post II, the panels being joined by vertically movable drop sides l2 and I3. V

The drop sides include top and bottom longitudinal rails l4 and i5 respectively joined by At their opposite ends the rails l4 and I5 are slidably mounted on vertical guide rods I 1 secured in the end posts II, the object being to render the sides of the crib adjustable for access and to provide suitable side guards which may be raised to various levels relative to the level of the mattress depending upon the age and activity of the infant.

As the infant develops, and at times of illness.

hanger as well as for the purpose of disposing the matmounting means includes hanger brackets 20.

preferably in the form of angles, one of which is mounted upon each of the four corner posts of the crib structure approximately midway between the top and bottom of the posts, the brackets including an attaching flange 2| which fits against the post, and a notch flange 22 disposed at right angles to the first-mentioned 2 flange so as to extend to the corresponding guide rod I 1.

The outer free edge portion of the flange 22 is turnedover to provide a sleeve 23 which supportably embraces the corresponding guide rod l1, thus lending rigidity to the bracket structure as well as the guide rod, and as will hereinafter I appear, to the entire frame structure of the crib as well.

I At the lower end of each mounting flange is an offset hanger plate 24 provided with an integrally struck eye portion 25 which is adapted to receivethe mounting hook 26 on the mattress spring when the latter is disposed in its lowermost and relatively permanent level in the crib.

Formed in the flange portions '22 are a plurality of angularly disposed hanger notches 21 each communicating from a common vertically elongated slot portion 23 in a downward direction with one notch spaced above another at intervals corresponding to the elevations suitable to average requirements.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the spring mattressincludes the usual frame consisting of opposite longitudinalsiderails 23 joined at their respective ends by end or cross rails 30 with the usual spring webbing or lacing disposed in the frame.

A means for adjustably supporting the mattress structure on the hanger brackets, as seen in Fig. 5, includes a hanger rod or arm 3i-provided parts 33 out ,of'the notches 21 and into the slot 28.

In the event that it is desired for any reason to manipulate the hanger rods from the side of the crib, the offset portions 33 are made long enough to project beyond the brackets, as 11- lustrated particularly in Fig. 2, so that they may be engaged by the hand and worked out of the "slots from the sides of the crib.

In the modified arrangement of Fig. 9, the

bracket 20a is shaped similarly to bracket 20 of Fig. 5', in that it has a mounting flange 2ia. and a notchflange 22a. disposed at right angles thereto and provided with a sleeve 23a supportably engaging the guide rod II. This bracket is likewise provided with an oifset portion2la with a between its ends with an offset handle portion 32 and having oii'set crank or hanger arm portions 33 at its opposite extremities adapted to, project into the hanger and common slot portions 21-28 in the corresponding hanger bracket.

For convenience in crating and shipping, the adjustable supporting means on the spring mattr'essstructure is made demountable, this:being accomplished by forming pivot holes. 34 (Fig.5 also) in the upstanding flange'portions'of the side rails 29 with an elongated and narrowed slot 35 communicating from each hole into an edge of the side rail.

Each of the pivoted hanger arms is provided with a circumferential notch 36 near its oflset crank portion, the notch being deep enough to fit into the slot 35 so that the rod maywork I into the pivot hole 34 the notch further being offset rotatably with respect to the crank so that when the rod is tumedinto operative position the notch 36 will be substantially out of alignment with.the slot 35 and thus secure the rod against dislodgement'from its mounting in the rails. The hanger rods are further removably secured to the mattress spring by means of screw hooks 31 (Fig. 7 particularly) each having a hook receiving loop- 25a. However, in this construction the notches 21a extend horizontally one above another and do not communicate into a common slot.

In the modified construction, the hanger rod 3la extends through pivot holes in the side rails 29, but the rod is divided into two sections, the innermost ends of each rod being offset and bent backupon each other to provide loops 32a which fit slidably over the edge of the corresponding cross rafl so as to permit the rods to slide in the direction of their length through the clamps 31. A spring 321) is mounted on a guide rod slidably seated in the inner end portiontof the rods so as to urge the latter outwardly and project the end portions 33a thereof into the hanger notches or slots. Inaccordance with this construction, the

hanger arms or rods areretractable and the inner end portions 32a are ofiset to provide pinched handles which may be grasped between the fingers and pinched or-squeezed together to effect retraction of the rods in changing the elevation ofthe mattress spring.

Since the crib frame. is held together only by the engagement of the drop sides with the slide rod II, it will be evident that the frame can be twisted or warped from a normal and proper condition of alignment since the rails II and II of the drop sides can pivot on the rods [1, and it is therefore essential to rigidity the crib frame.

threaded leg portion 38 passed through an opening in the cross rail and clamped to the latter by a wing nut 39. 7

When the offset or crank portions of the hanger.

arms are engaged in any of the hanger notches to support the spring mattress as illustrated in Fig. 5, the handle portion 32-will be disposed in the region opposite the end of the mattress,

where it may be readily grasped in an effort to lift the mattress assembly for purposes of adjustment, and it will be apparent that such lifting action will tend .to rock the rod 3| in a direction to work the offset or crank portions 33;

thereof toward the common vertical slot 28 in each bracket.

In this senseythe hanger structure isautomatic to efiect disengagement of the hanger-arms from the notches of the brackets when a lifting effort is applied to the handle portion 32, and

This is accomplished by making the clearances between the frame of the. mattress spring and the angle flanges 20 and 22 of the several hanger brackets moderately close, with the result that the presence of the spring frame, abutting against the several brackets, prevents appreciable wobbling or twisting of the crib frame.

The crib structure is further rigidifled by the provision of an improved detent latch means for the drop sides, which structure is particularly illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 and includes the provisionof anelongatedchannel ll in the bottom rail ii of one or both of the drop sides. Fitted into the channel are two detent rods Ii secured in position by means of straps 42 near their ends and by a cleat l3 fitted over the rail at the inner ends. of the rods. The inner end of each detent rod is offset at right angles and connected with one end of a normal spring 45, the opposite ends of the springs being anchored as at 46 to the cleat, and the springs thus urging the rods away from each other to project their outer end portions 41 into notches 48 (lower part of Fig. 5, and Fig. 8) in the several guide rods l1.

Means for releasing the detent rods includes the provision of a slide plate 19 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) seated slidably in the cleat 43 and having a pair of cam edges 50 extending in opposite directions for engagement with the offset inner ends 44 of the detent rods. The action of the springs 45 in disposing the rods in normally latching condition also cams the slide plate 49 outwardly of the cleat 43 and hence outwardly of the crib, where it may be conveniently engaged by pressure of the knee or leg and pushed inwardly to cause the cam edges 50 to bear against the ofl'set ends 44 and retract the detent rods from engagement with the notches in the guide rods, thus releasing the drop sides for automatic lowering. The improved detent structure is not only convenient to operate, but furnishes additional rigidification for the crib frame.

The form of bracket shown in Fig. 11 includes a central body portion 60 having struck therefrom a plurality of hanger lugs GI extending in vertically spaced relation to supportably engage the offset or crank end portion 33 of the hanger rod. The opposite ends of this bracket are upset to provide attaching'extensions 62 at top and bottom and parallel horizontally extending guide rod supports 63 each provided with a hole 64 and guidably receive the rod H.

In the use of the device of Fig, :11, the hanger rod 3| may be manipulated either by grasping the handle '32 to automatically turnand cam Ithe'ofiset-portions 33 out of engagement with the lugs 6|, much in' themannenheretofore described in conjunction with-the operation of aligned with the hole in the other to supportably of the particular embodiments specifically described herein, and it is intended that the appended claims shall include all equivalent arrangements fairly coming withintheir call.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In a crib, means for adjustably supporting a mattress spring at difierent levels and comprising, in combination, a hanger bracket secured at each of the four corners of the crib, each bracket being provided with a vertically extending common slot from which communicate a plurality of downwardly directed notches spaced in a vertical direction along the slot, a laterally extending hanger rod pivotally mounted at eachend of the mattress spring, each rod having opposite end portions offset to provide hanger arms engageable in said notches to support said spring in the crib', each of said rods having an oifset handle portion between its ends whereby the rod will be pivoted when a lifting effort is applied to said handle portion to turn the rod in a direction to efiect withdrawal of the hanger portions thereof from the notches in which they are resting for movement into said common slots and disposition in a difierent set of notches to change the elevation of said spring.

2. In a spring mattress frame adapted for adjustable mounting on a bedstead or the like having opposite cross rails connected by opposite side rails, the combination of a hanger rod having an intermediate handle portion and removably mounted on one of said cross rails by lmeans 01' screw hooks engaging said rod on opposite sides of said handle to'clamp the rod against said rail, said rod having opposite end portions each projecting through a pivot hole in-one-of said side rails, said pivot holes each having a slot narrower than thediameter-of the holeand extending into an edge of the side rail, said rod having 'a slot oifsetcircumferentially with respect to said handle near the opposite end's'of the rod-to fit into said' slots rod in said pivot holes. SAMUEL mom NATHAN J. KROLL.

and removably secure the 

